Prolific Barnsley thief jailed after stealing from shop and assaulting emergency workers

He'll spend 32 weeks behind bars.

Dean Watson
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 11th Jun 2025

A 'prolific' thief from Barnsley has been handed a 32 week prison sentence after stealing from a supermarket, before assaulting emergency workers.

44 year old Dean Watson, of Faith Street, broke into a store on Wombwell Lane earlier this month before taking multiple bottles of alcohol worth around £140.

He was quickly arrested and placed into a police car, which he caused damage to.

He also kicked and spat at two officers as they attempted to restrain him.

Watson admitted burglary, theft from a shop and two counts of assault of an emergency worker at Barnsley Magistrates Court, where he was sentenced and ordered to pay compensation.

Sergeant Paul Allen, of South Yorkshire Police, said:

"No officer should go to work, experience abuse and be assaulted when they are just trying to do their job. Luckily the officers were not injured during this incident, and Watson is now facing the consequences of his actions."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.